CEIDG - a compendium of knowledge for the entrepreneur

The Central Register and Information on Economic Activity, or CEIDG for short, is an electronic system that aggregates information about entrepreneurs. What tasks does it have and how to use it?

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The basis for the operation of CEIDG is the Act of March 6, 2018 on Central Registration and Information on Economic Activity and the Entrepreneur Information Point(Journal of Laws 2022, item 541), which came into force on April 30, 2018. 

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What tasks does CEIDG perform?

The primary role of CEIDG is to maintain a register of entrepreneurs who are natural persons. In addition, it performs very important informational functions:

• provides information on business entities to the extent consistent with the law,
• provides free access to data,
• makes it possible to both determine the date and scope of changes made to entries in CEIDG and also to identify these changes with the entity that made them.

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It is worth pointing out that all activities related to making an entry in CEIDG are free of charge.

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Who is subject to entry in the CEIDG register?

Registration is mandatory for entrepreneurs. Individuals who engage in non-agricultural business activities as sole proprietors or as partners in civil partnerships are subject to it. Other entities are usually subject to entry in the National Court Register (with some exceptions). Carrying out non-agricultural business activities without an entry is an offense punishable by restriction of freedom or a fine. 

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Useful data and materials that can be found on the CEIDG website (ceidg.gov.pl):

• entry form - uniform and universally applicable,
• A search engine for companies and individuals doing business in Poland,
• Information on any changes and entries in the register of activities,
• As well as tutorials to help prepare and submit an application to CEIDG.

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The application for registration (CEIDG-1) performs several functions simultaneously:

• is an update identification notification to the head of the tax office of an individual who is self-employed (NIP),
• is a statement on the choice of the form of personal income taxation,
• is an application for entry in the National Official Register of National Economic Entities REGON,
• is a notification or amendment to the notification of the contributor to the Social Security (or KRUS).

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How to fill out an application for an entry in CEIDG?

Currently, those entrepreneurs who want to start a business or have one and intend to make changes to the CEIDG-1 form can do so using the business.gov.pl website. The primary goal of this platform is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start their own business. They can do this online, without leaving home. The CEIDG platform also simplifies and speeds up the entire procedure thanks to the possibility of electronically transmitting applications submitted to state institutions. 

The entrepreneur registers with the service via a Trusted Profile, e-proof or email address, with authentication using either the Trusted Profile or e-proof.

The CEIDG-1 form Application for entry into the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity can be submitted by an entrepreneur to any municipality office. Along with the application, a statement is also submitted: "...that the person to whom the entry pertains has not been validly adjudicated bans referred to in Article 5(2)(13-15) of the Act of March 6, 2018 on the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity and the Entrepreneur Information Point with respect to the economic activity covered by the entry, and that the person to whom the entry pertains holds legal title to the real estate whose addresses are entered in the CEIDG."

Liquidation of activity - cancellation of entry from CEIDG

If the entrepreneur liquidates his business activity he is obliged to report this fact on the CEIDG-1 form - which is at the same time an application for deletion of the entry. It must be submitted within 7 days of the cessation of economic activity.

On the basis of the form so submitted, the Social Security Administration prepares a ZUS ZWPA form to deregister the entrepreneur from the list of contributors. Within 7 days from the date of submission of the CEIDG-1 application, you must submit a ZUS ZWUA form (to deregister yourself from insurance) and possibly a ZUS ZCNA form (to deregister family members from insurance).

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